Machinery for handling synthetic filament

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are presented for aligning and orienting cut-to-length synthetic filaments or the like in parallel relationship for use directly in brushmaking or tufting machines, or for packaging or bundling. The apparatus of this invention includes a housing through which nonaligned filaments are allowed to fall. A conduit extending diagonally into a central portion of the housing selects oriented filaments and conveys them to an aligning groove. In the aligning groove the filaments are aligned longitudinally in parallel relationship and allowed to settle into a straightening section. In the straightening section the filaments surround a plurality of pins extending from a trim plate disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the filaments. Vibrating means vibrates the trim plate and the pins mounted thereon to further align the filaments in parallel relationship and to align the ends thereof in a common plane. The straightening section may feed directly to a stock box for use in a brushmaking or tufting machine, or to conventional bundling or packaging apparatus.

[ Nov, 27, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus are presented for aligning and orienting cut-to-length synthetic filaments or the like in parallel relationship for use directly in brushmaking or tufting machines, or for packaging or bundling. The apparatus of this invention includes a housing through which nonaligned filaments are allowed to fall. A conduit extending diagonally into a central portion of the housing selects oriented filaments and conveys them to an aligning groove. 1n the aligning groove the filaments are aligned longitudinally in parallel relationship and allowed to settle into a straightening section. In the straightening section the filaments surround a plurality of pins extending from a trim plate disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axesof the filaments. Vibrating means vibrates the trim plate and the pins mounted thereon to further align the filaments in parallel relationship and to align the ends thereof in a common plane. The straightening section may feed directly to a stock box for use in a brush- Umted States Patent [191 Lewis, Jr.

[ MACHINERY FOR HANDLING SYNTHETIC FILAMENT [75] Inventor: John C. Lewis, Jrn, Middlebury, Vt.

[73] Assignee: Tucel Industries, Inc., Middleburg,

[22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 193,855

2'14/6 1), 53/236, 193/43 R, 214/6.5, 221/163 865g 57/18 214/6 D, 6 H, 6 M, 6 S, 6.5; 53/236; 193/43 R, 43 D; 221/163 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1940 Hambleton [51] Int. [58] Field of Search..........

making or tufting machine, or to conventional bundling or packaging apparatus.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 214/6 D 193/43 R Wheelock.........,............. 214/6 D X Logden et al..

Pnmary ExammerRobert J Spar Attorney-Robert E. LeBlanc et al.

PAIENIEmnm ms 3774.782

' SHEET 3 [1F 3 FIG4A MACHINERY FOR HANDLING SYNTHETIC FILAMENT This invention relates to new and useful machinery for loading cut-to-length synthetic filaments into stock boxes for use on tufting machines. More specifically, it is concerned with loading and aligning non-oriented short length filaments into a brush machine stock box in parallel relationship in order that the filaments may subsequently be picked with single-tuft stapling equipmentor with multiple picking fixtures.

Synthetic filaments, when used to produce brushes and related articles, must first be loaded into a stock box or magazine in parallel relationship with all longitudinal axes of the filaments in the same plane or parallel thereto.

Filaments are supplied in different packages, but always must be wrapped or contained in some type of bundle in order to keep theshort filaments aligned prior to loading the stock box. Methods of packing filament have been set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,581,561 and 3,589,409. However, in each instance, filaments must be contained in their package by first cutting said filaments from a group of longer filaments held together in parallel relationship. After the filaments are cut to a specific length, they must be contained, for if they are allowed to become mis-aligned, they can not be packaged.

This invention is concerned with orienting filaments cut from a plurality of long parallel aligned synthetic filaments into short pieces without the aid of containing means, and specifically this invention is directed to subsequently orienting the looseand mis-aligned filaments in parallel relationship within a filament stock box or other container.

With the new and improved methods and machines for tufting brushes and other tufted products it has become necessary to load filament stock boxes three, four and sometimes five times faster than was necessary with conventional tufting machines. Within the time rrequired it is impossible for an operator to load small, two and three inch diameter cuts of filaments, one bundle at a time, into a stock box. Also, it is not desirable to employ bulk packages of cut filaments, because of the time required for the operations of opening, loading and removing the container in order to fill a stock box. This invention, however, eliminates the need for hand loading of filaments, and for having the operator constantly check the level of filaments within the stock box.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the combinations, compositions and improvements pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention resides in the novel steps, methods, apparatus, and improvements thereof hereinafter shown and described.

While this invention is primarily concerned with new and novel filament aligning machinery for loading stock boxes, it should be realized that this invention is applicable to aligning filament for bundling or wrapping. The principles of this invention are attained through the novel combination of isolating individual cut-to-length filament pieces, allowing each piece to align itself by means of gravity, and the employement of a vibrating pin means along the longitudinal axis of the filament within the stock box.

it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a filament container for dispensing cut-to-length synthetic filaments having automatic filament aligning elements. Another object of this invention is to provide machinery for loading cut-to-length filaments automatically into filament stock boxes, wherein the machinery is an integral part of the stock box. A still furtherobject of the invention is to provide a mechanical loading device wherein loose, mis-aligned cut-to-length synthetic filaments may be automatically loaded into a filamentretaining stock box, thus providing the brush maker and other manufacturers with means for eliminating hand loading of said filament.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a loading device capable of loading automatically, loose cut-to-length synthetic filaments from a bulk storage bin, and combining more than one type of filament in a predetermined ratio, in order to arrive at a mixture of filament, into a filament package or filament retainpolypropylene co-polymers, polyamides, polyirriides,-

polyesters and polyurethane. Both oriented and unoriented monofilaments may be employed.

Also, various cross-sectional shapes may be imparted to the monofilaments, such as circular, lobular, trifoil, X and Y cross-sections, triangular, polygonal, star, etc. Mixtures of synthetic monofilaments may be employed in cases where the compositions of the monofilaments are compatible during any fusing or stapling operations, i.e. heat fusing the non-working ends of the filaments in order to form a filament tuft. Such filament may have suitable crimp imparted to its length or a portion thereof.

Filaments to be automatically loaded into a stock box according to this invention may have lengths of from about 0.50 inches up to and including lengths of about 15 inches. The diameter of the filaments may range from about 0.0050 inches to about 0.50 inches.

The term picking refers to the picking of a filament tuft from a storage container or filament stock box. The picking can be the conventional type employed on a stapling brush machine or can be the type referred to in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,202 where more than one filament tuft may be picked simultaneously. In both instances, filaments are removed from the filament stock boxes.

The term filament stock box refers to any type of container employed for holding cut-to-length synthetic filament in a parallel disposition longitudinally, with the ends thereof lying in a common plane, prior to picking or advancement of said filament into a brush making operation. An example thereof is described and claimed in my US. Pat. No. 3,563,609. Such stock boxes may be employed in machinery consisting of staple-setting, strip-brush making, paint-brush equipment, etc.

The term aligning pins refers to rigid longitudinal elements employed within the filament stock box proper. These pins engage the filaments along each filaments longitudinal axis and align the filament by contact therewith. Each filament along the pins sides as well as the adjacent filaments are thereby kept in parallel disposition. The pins are also vibrated according to this invention in order to facilitate alingment of adjacent filaments.

To load the filament in a stock box, loose filament is fed into the top of a housing by means of a conveyor, or other suitable means, such as forced air, and subsequently allowed to cascade downward by forces of gravity. As the falling filament begins to twist and tumble, it engages the open end of a hollow conduit. The hollow conduit leads to a constricted aligning groove. If the filament is oriented in a position which will allow it to enter the conduit, it continues to fall but follows the path through the conduit leading to the stock box or packing apparatus.

If the falling filaments are unable to enter the hollow conduit, or if entry is averted by other falling filaments, they simply continue to fall to the bottom of the housing, where they are collected and returned to the conveying means for another pass through the housing unit. The filaments which enter the hollow conduit pass therethrough into the groove. The groove provides a means for aligning the filament longitudinally, and for stacking the filaments on the preceding filaments therein. As the aligned, parallel filaments move downward, they are vibrated by aligning pins, which continue to align and settle the filaments. The pins are carried by a vibrating plate which aligns the ends thereof in a common plane. The filaments, after passing this point are disposed in a proper aligment for subsequent usage, or can be bulk packaged for future use in separate container.

The accompanying drawings referred to herein and constituting a part hereof illustrate a preferred embodiment of the appratus and together with the following description serve to explain the principles of this invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial section of the automatic filament loading device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filament loading device of FIG. 1 taken along line AA.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the filament loading device of FIG. 1 taken along lines B-B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of alignment pins and alignment trim plate of this invention in an open position. i

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of alignment pins and alignment trim plate in a closed position.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a trim plate of this invention showing the alignment pins.

FIG. 5B is a front view of FIG. 5A showing one arrangement of the alignment pins.

Referring now to the drawings, the filament housing 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be of any general shape, but is preferably circular in cross-section, and of a length of at least 12 inches. The further filaments 200 fall, the more each filament will tend to separate and orient itself in a desirable attitude for entering the selection tube 103 extending into housing 100. Tube 103 conveys filaments to the aligning frame 108 wherein the filaments are aligned primarily by trim plate unit 109 aind mounting pins 110, which are vibrated by means 111.

FIG. 3 illustrates the aligning area 108a and straightening section 108b within frame 108. Aligning area 108a, as shown in FIG. 2, must be no wider than onehalf of the length of the filament passing therethrough.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate how the vibrating trim plate 109 and pins 1 10 transfer vibrating forces to align the filaments within frame 108, and how the filaments 203 are therein oriented in parallel disposition.

FIG. 5A and 5B illustrate one specific pattern in which the alignment pins 1 10 may be positioned on the trim plate 109. This invention comtemplates any desired pattern for pins 110, and other-cross-sectional shapes therefor may be employed.

In order to describe the invention more fully, reference is now made to specific embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings. The invention is directed specifically to a method and apparatus for orienting cut-to-length synthetic monofilaments, however, the apparatus and method are equally adaptable to situations wherein such items as match sticks, straws, and the like may be oriented in parallel attitudes, and subsequently packaged.

Cut-to-length filaments 200 are conveyed by any well known, suitable means to the filament housing portion of this invention, entering at opening 101. The filaments 200 are then allowed to free-fall through the interior of the housing 100,from top to bottom. The opening 101 may be located at or near the top of housing 100, and should be large enough to allow easy passage of filaments 200 therethrough. Suitable forced air blast apparatus and/or mechanical paddles (not shown) may be located at the opening 101 to insure proper movement of the filaments 200 through opening 101, as well as to serve to spread the loose filaments 200 evenly across the interior housing 100. Under normal circumstances, the filament 200 will fall downward in random fashion toward the opening 102 at the bottom of the housing. However, in the apparatus of this invention, there is located within housing 100 a selection tube 103 which has an open end 104 projecting diagonally into housing 100. Tube 103 serves as the means to select and convey properly oriented filaments 201 from the bulk filament 200 which constantly circulates through housing 100. As filaments 200 fall, if properly oriented, they engage the selection tube 103 at its open end 104 and fall or slide down the tube. Filaments 201 are illustrative thereof. FIG. 2 shows the filaments movement through tube 103 toward the tubes end 106, where there is located an opening 105, which serves to further orient the filament.

The end 106 of the tube 103 acts as a stop for slowing and stopping the filaments 201 prior to the exit thereof through the opening 105. Filaments 201 then fall onto the filaments 202 contained in the aligning groove area 108a.

Filaments 202 in this section of frame 108 are aligned in parallel and restrained from twisting by the design of of the aligning groove areal08a.

The filaments 202 then enter straightening section 108b, wherein the vibrating aligning pins 110 and trimming plate 109 serve to subject the filaments 202 to forces sufficient to align the ends of the parallel filaments 203 while retaining lengthwise alignment so that all adjacent filaments 203 in section 108k have the same trim. In other words, if 1 inch length filaments are used,'after the filaments pass through the apparatus, the trim of all the filaments aligned would be one inch. At this section within frame 108, the filaments 203 may be further processed, either packaged or picked directly from within.

With attention to FIG. 2 the trim plate assembly 109 having pins 110 extending perpendicularly from a face thereof preferably is attached to a conventional vibrator 111'. Although any conventional vibrating apparatus may be utilized within the scope of this invention a preferred type which may be utilized is an electromagnetic vibrator having a one-half inch stroke displacement and operating at approximately'3,000 cycles per minute. --The oriented and aligned filaments 203 exit the straightening section 10811 and opening 112. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a brush machine stock box (not shown) may be attached at opening 112 and filled directly and automatically by the apparatus of this invention. In addition, a plurality of the machines of this invention may be utilized to automatically fill a singlestock box, eachmachine orienting and aligning a different colored filament with the opening 112 of each machine adapted to feed a common stock box.

In addition, a conventional packaging or bundling machine may be mounted at opening 112 to bundle or package the filaments 203 exiting therefrom, automatically.

Furthermore, as noted, above, the apparatus of this invention may be utilized for aligning and orienting a variety of other cylindrical or tubular elements such as match sticks or straws'for packaging, if desired. A

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the face 113 of trim plate assembly 109 mounting pinsllO is adapted to vibrateagainst the ends of filaments 203. Although the face ll3may be smooth, in the preferred embodiment'of this invention 'the face is roughened to frictionally hold the ends of said filament against the opposite wall of frame member 108. If the assembly is constructed of metal the face 113 may be sandblasted to achieve a mat finish, or the face may be covered with emory paper or sand paper, as desired. The following examples describe operation of the ap paratus of this invention to align and orient cut-tolength synthetic filaments.

EXAMPLE 1' plate 109, and were subsequently contained within a stock box. The filaments were then picked from the bottom of the stock box and processed into brush filament tufts.

EXAMPLE II Cut-to-length nylon filaments having an average diameter of 0.020 inch and a length of three and one-half inches were allowed to fall loosely with housing having a selecting tube 103 with an opening 104 of about one and one-half inches in diameter. After the filaments passed through the tube, they entered frame 108 for alignment, and were then processed in the same manner as described in Example I. The only difference is that the dimension of the stock box and straightening section 108b corresponded to the specific filament length desired.

If two or more conveying systems are employed for feeding filaments into the housing, a mixture of different colors or types of filaments may be obtained, whereby a suitable ratio of each results at opening 1 12 of the apparatus of this invention.

EXAMPLE III Equal parts of loose red polypropylene filaments, 0.012 inches in diameter, one and one-half inches in length, were circulated simultaneously through the apparatus of this invention with white polypropylene filaments of the samediameter and length. As the aligned filaments were removed from the opening 112 of frame 108, an analysis showed that the filaments were mixed approximately in equal amounts.

As noted above, more than one unit may be employed to fill a stock box, for instance, two, three or four units placed over one large filament stock box when more than one filament tuft is removed. This would facilitate the removal of large quantities of filament in the form of tufts when high speed tufting equipment is used.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this instant invention provides a very simple and effective filament orientation method and apparatus for accomplishing the object of the invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for orienting and stacking randomly disposed, cut-to-length synthetic filaments or the like comprising: an upstanding housing having an entrance port in the upper portion thereof and an exit port at the bottom thereof; means disposed at the entrance port for conveying randomly disposed, cut-to-length synthetic filaments therethrough whereby said filaments will be allowed to free-fall through said housing toward the bottom thereof; selection means disposed within a central portion of said housing for selecting only a portion of those randomly disposed filaments falling therethrough, having longitudinal axes oriented approximately parallel to the vertical axis of said housing; a vertical stacking frame having front, back and side walls disposed externally to said housing, said frame adapted to confine a plurality of oriented, cut-to-length filaments disposed longitudinally between the front and back walls thereof; means connecting said selection means and said stacking frame for conveying the selected, oriented filaments from said selection means through said housing to said stacking frame and for stacking the selected filaments in said frame.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising means disposed at the exit port of said housing for collecting the randomly disposed filaments falling therethrough and for conveying said filaments to the entrance port for readmittance to said housing through said entrance port.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the distance between the entrance port and the exit port of said housing is at least twelve inches.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the internal distance between the front and back walls of said stacking frame is no more than one and one-half the length of the cutto-length filaments to be stacked therein.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for conveying the selected filaments comprises a conduit extending upwardly from the upper portion of said stacking frame and into a central portion of said housing, the longitudinal axis of the terminal portion of said conduit extending into said housing at an angle to the vertical axis thereof.

6. The device of claim. 5 wherein said conduit is a tube and a terminal portion of the walls thereof describe an entrance opening substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, said opening adapted to receive only those randomly disposed filaments falling through said housing which are oriented longitudinally parallel to the vertical axis of said housing.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the terminal portion of the conduit distal to said housing has a closed end and an elongated exit opening in the lower portion of the conduit wall adjacent said closed end, the exit opening and the longitudinal axis of the terminal portion of said conduit surrounding the opening being aligned over said stacking frame between the front and back walls thereof so that filaments passing through said conduit will encounter the closed end thereof and drop through the exit opening therein into said frame, oriented between the front and back walls thereof.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the elongated exit opening is a slit extending longitudinally along the lower portion of the wall of said tube from the closed end thereof toward said housing a distance greater than the length of the filament passing therethrough, but less than one and one-half times the length of said filament.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the lower portion of said conduit is mounted on the upper portion of said stacking frame, the interior of said conduit in communication with the interior of said frame through an elongated exit opening in a wall thereof, the side walls of said frame converging at a central portion thereof to form a constricted filament aligning section, and diverging at a lower portion thereof to form a filament stacking section.

10. The device of claim 4 wherein the side walls of said frame converge at a central portion thereof to form a filament aligning section and diverge at a lower portion thereof to form a filament stacking section.

11. An apparatus for orienting, stacking and aligning randomly disposed cut-to-length synthetic filaments or the like comprising: an upstanding housing having an entrance port in the upper portion thereof and an exit port at the bottom thereof; means disposed at the entrance port for conveying randomly disposed cut-tolength filaments therethrough whereby said filaments will be allowed to free-fall through said housing toward the bottom thereof; selection means disposed within a central portion of said housing for selecting only a portion of those randomly disposed filaments falling therethrough which have longitudinal axes oriented approximately parallel to the vertical axis of said housing; a vertical stacking frame having front, back, and side walls disposed externally to said housing, the front wall of said frame having an opening therein in a central portion thereof, said frame adapted to confine a plurality of oriented, cut-to-length filaments disposed longitudinally between the front and back walls thereof; means connecting said selection means and said frame for conveying the selected filaments from said selection means through said housing to said frame, said means adapted to stack said filaments in said frame longitudinally between the front and back walls thereof; means disposed within said frame for orienting said filaments longitudinally between the front and back wall thereof with the longitudinal axes of said filaments in parallel relationship at a central portion ofsaid frame adjacent the opening in the front wall thereof; vibrating means disposed at the opening in the front wall of said frame for vibrating said filaments against the back wall thereof until the ends adjacent said back wall are aligned in a common vertical plane.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the internal distance from the front wall of said frame to the back wall thereof above the opening in the front wall is no greater than one and one-half the length of the cut-to-length synthetic filaments to be aligned therein.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the internal distance from the front wall of said frame to the back wall thereof below said opening is approximately equal to the length of the cut-to-length filaments to be aligned therein for retaining said aligned and oriented filaments.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the opening in the front wall of said frame extends from one side wall to an opposite side wall thereof.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein said vibrating means comprises a' trim plate assembly having a face adapted to be disposed at the opening in the front wall of said frame, perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the filaments to be aligned therein; electromagnetic vibrator means coupled to said assembly for causing said face to vibrate toward the back wall of said frame.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the face of said plate assembly'mounts a plurality of mutually spaced probes extending perpendicularly therefrom toward said back plate, said probes adapted to vibrate with said assembly and to transmit vibratory motion thereof to the longitudinal surfaces of filaments adjacent thereto when said filaments are received in said frame.

P040350 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE 5 9 CERHHCATE 0F QURRECTIQN v Pag NO, 3,774,782 Dated November 27, 1973 lnventofls) o wis; Jr,

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Page 1, under "Assignee", "'Mic'lcileburg' shouid read --Middlebury-.

Col. 1, line 40, "rrequired" should read --required--.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 1927A;

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD WLFLETCHEHJR, C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Gommissi oner of Patents 

1. An apparatus for orienting and stacking randomly disposed, cut-to-length synthetic filaments or the like comprising: an upstanding housing having an entrance port in the upper portion thereof and an exit port at the bottom thereof; means disposed at the entrance port for conveying randomly disposed, cut-to-length synthetic filaments therethrough whereby said filaments will be allowed to free-fall through said housing toward the bottom thereof; selection means disposed within a central portion of said housing for selecting only a portion of those randomly disposed filaments falling therethrough, having longitudinal axes oriented approximately parallel to the vertical axis of said housing; a vertical stacking frame having front, back and side walls disposed externally to said housing, said frame adapted to confine a plurality of oriented, cut-to-length filaments disposed longitudinally between the front and back walls thereof; means connecting said selection means and said stacking frame for conveying the selected, oriented filaments from said selection means through said housing to said stacking frame and for stacking the selected filaments in said frame.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising means disposed at the exit port of said housing for collecting the randomly disposed filaments falling therethrough and for conveying said filaments to the entrance port for readmittance to said housing through said entrance port.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the distance between the entrance port and the exit port of said housing is at least twelve inches.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the internal distance between the front and back walls of said stacking frame is no more than one and one-half the length of the cut-to-length filaments to be stacked therein.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for conveying the selected filaments comprises a conduit extending upwardly from the upper portion of said stacking frame and into a central portion of said housing, the longitudinal axis of the terminal portion of said conduit extending into said housing at an angle to the vertical axis thereof.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said conduit is a tube and a terminal portion of the walls thereof describe an entrance opening substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, said opening adapted to receive only those randomly disposed filaments falling through said housing which are oriented longitudinally parallel to the vertical axis of said housing.
 7. The device of claim 5 wherein the terminal portion of the conduit distal to said housing has a closed end and an elongated exit opening in the lower portion of the conduit wall adjacent said closed end, the exit opening and the longitudinal axis of the terminal portion of said conduit surrounding the opening being aligned over said stacking frame between the front and back walls thereof so that filaments passing through said conduit will encounter the closed end thereof and drop through the exit opening therein into said frame, oriented between the froNt and back walls thereof.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the elongated exit opening is a slit extending longitudinally along the lower portion of the wall of said tube from the closed end thereof toward said housing a distance greater than the length of the filament passing therethrough, but less than one and one-half times the length of said filament.
 9. The device of claim 7 wherein the lower portion of said conduit is mounted on the upper portion of said stacking frame, the interior of said conduit in communication with the interior of said frame through an elongated exit opening in a wall thereof, the side walls of said frame converging at a central portion thereof to form a constricted filament aligning section, and diverging at a lower portion thereof to form a filament stacking section.
 10. The device of claim 4 wherein the side walls of said frame converge at a central portion thereof to form a filament aligning section and diverge at a lower portion thereof to form a filament stacking section.
 11. An apparatus for orienting, stacking and aligning randomly disposed cut-to-length synthetic filaments or the like comprising: an upstanding housing having an entrance port in the upper portion thereof and an exit port at the bottom thereof; means disposed at the entrance port for conveying randomly disposed cut-to-length filaments therethrough whereby said filaments will be allowed to free-fall through said housing toward the bottom thereof; selection means disposed within a central portion of said housing for selecting only a portion of those randomly disposed filaments falling therethrough which have longitudinal axes oriented approximately parallel to the vertical axis of said housing; a vertical stacking frame having front, back, and side walls disposed externally to said housing, the front wall of said frame having an opening therein in a central portion thereof, said frame adapted to confine a plurality of oriented, cut-to-length filaments disposed longitudinally between the front and back walls thereof; means connecting said selection means and said frame for conveying the selected filaments from said selection means through said housing to said frame, said means adapted to stack said filaments in said frame longitudinally between the front and back walls thereof; means disposed within said frame for orienting said filaments longitudinally between the front and back wall thereof with the longitudinal axes of said filaments in parallel relationship at a central portion of said frame adjacent the opening in the front wall thereof; vibrating means disposed at the opening in the front wall of said frame for vibrating said filaments against the back wall thereof until the ends adjacent said back wall are aligned in a common vertical plane.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein the internal distance from the front wall of said frame to the back wall thereof above the opening in the front wall is no greater than one and one-half the length of the cut-to-length synthetic filaments to be aligned therein.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein the internal distance from the front wall of said frame to the back wall thereof below said opening is approximately equal to the length of the cut-to-length filaments to be aligned therein for retaining said aligned and oriented filaments.
 14. The device of claim 11 wherein the opening in the front wall of said frame extends from one side wall to an opposite side wall thereof.
 15. The device of claim 11 wherein said vibrating means comprises a trim plate assembly having a face adapted to be disposed at the opening in the front wall of said frame, perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the filaments to be aligned therein; electromagnetic vibrator means coupled to said assembly for causing said face to vibrate toward the back wall of said frame.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the face of said plate assembly mounts a plurality of mutually spaced probes extending perpendicularly therefrom toward said baCk plate, said probes adapted to vibrate with said assembly and to transmit vibratory motion thereof to the longitudinal surfaces of filaments adjacent thereto when said filaments are received in said frame. 